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You have to remember that also nearby is the Verizon Center where numerous sports and other events a re routinely held. As a result there are, as was mentioned above, all KINDS of restaurants in that vicinity and yes, the area around H and 7th would be fine.

Look into the possibility of eating somewhere like Clydes...just one of many possibilities.

There are many different restaurants in that area. I have been to the District Chophouse a few times (good beer and decent food). Also have been to RFD as well. But you can find any kind of restaurant that you would want.

Originally I thought of a few restaurants near Dupont Circle. One metro ride and not that far back down to our hotel. The choices and area for the evening didn't excite me but it still stayed as a possibility.

Then I thought of Georgetown but it's a bit of a pain getting there. Still a possibility.

Then I looked at the map again and thought, why not eat in that area since we're already there. And then if we wanted it's about 10-15 minute walk back to The Mall.

I have no problem with chains. The ones we like we go to and the ones we don't like we don't go to.

Myer, there really isn't any reason to go to Dupont Circle or Georgetown with all the really good options near the Portrait Gallery.

Tom, I agree, Zaytinya is great. I also like Graffiato. Mike Isabella, the owner, was a chef at Zaytinya and former Top Chef contestant.

Oyamel is good if you like Mexican. Rasika is fabulous if you Indian and it was just named one of the 50 best restaurants in the US (only DC restaurant to make the list). You will need to make reservations far in advance. There's also the old NY Italian restaurant, Carmine's if you want Italian (wouldn't be my first choice). The restaurant at The Monaco hotel is quite good but service is very hit or miss.

LouisaH, Part of the reason for Dupont Circle and/or Georgetown would be to wander an area we hadn't been to.

However, eating in the area of the National Portrait Gallery would give us a chance to wander back to the Mall and walk around in the evening.

This area is looking better and better. I just looked at the corner where Clyde's is located on Google Earth and there's a very good selection right there. A also quite a few more within a block or two.

Myer the neighborhood you're talking about is called Penn Quarter and it's a destination for dining, among other things, in DC. I'm sure you'll find something you like including those mentioned here. Lots of chains, mostly the higher end ones, as well as excellent one off.'s.

There are more restaurants in Penn Quarter than you can shake a stick at. I like quick and easy dining AND good food, so I tend to go to Hill Country (BBQ) and Vapianos (Italian). Both places are self-seating and modified self-serve so you don't waste a lot of time with waiters (or money with tipping.) For a more traditional restaurant, I enjoy Matchbox.

We've enjoyed dinner at Clyde's a couple of times. Atmosphere is nice, food is good. No special cuisine, but extensive menu of tasty selections to please most anyone. You can't go wrong there. From the posts above, we learned of a few other restaurants in the area which will now be on our list. Enjoy DC!

Hi, this comment actually has nothing to do with the OP, but I wanted to ask Myer some questions about photos in europe. my wife and i are going to be heading there soon and i was hoping that i could pick your brain about some nice places you've been to for photos. my email is kevin johnson acct at gmail dot com. its all one word. actually anyone who has some ideas is welcome to email me. thanks in advance.

KB&A is a wonderful little indie bookstore and cafe with a breakfast through late night menu. It's in a lively neighborhood, it's great people watching, and a very nice place to have something to eat, a coffee or a glass of wine.

I was thinking how lucky you are, to live near a lot of great bookstores! I remember when I did, too, and even then, Kramerbooks was unusually well curated; to call it "just a small bookshop" is to miss that most towns--not cities--in America don't have a single bookstore half as good.

Plus, at this point, it's been there long enough to qualify as an institution, no?

I digress, but I used to make an afternoon of hitting Second Story Books, Kramerbooks and Lambda Rising (no longer there), all in Dupont Circle. Politics and Prose was great then and now, too, but it was a bit of a haul for me from Georgetown.

obxgirl, don't hold back, now!
BTW I adore KB&A, it is a gem of a place. Used to be a regular there in the 70's and now try to stop in on just about every visit to DC, usually not to eat but just to browse and people watch.

obxgirl, I agree, especially since real bookstores are few and far between these days and KB&A is a gem.

I just had tapas at Jaleo the other night and it was a treat as always. We started with delicious gazpacho, followed by asparagus with a purée of red pepper and paprika, and baby octopus from Cadiz with white beans, which was outstanding.

We like Matchbox for dinner in Penn Quarter. Eclectic menu, not too rices, good service, good food, fun place. Also, love the bar at Fados! Wonderful Irish. It's like walking into an underground version of the Hobbit.

We like Matchbox for dinner in penn Quarter. Not too pricey, eclectic menu, good food and service, fun place. Also LOVE the bar at Fados. Wonderful Irish! it's like walking into an Irish version of the Hobbitt. All the bar and wood is from Ireland. Good live music there also.

"I can't imagine why a tourist would want to go there. Unless you've never seen a bookstore, but I don't get it."

A tourist would want to go there because, as others have stated, most bookstores in this country have closed. Also, after seeing the sights it is nice to just spend a few quiet minutes looking at something that is not history/government related. I am not one to purchase souvenirs but I do like to find magazines or books on my hobbies that are not available in my home town. When I read them at home, not only do I get to enjoy my hobby but I also remember where I bought the book, etc.